AMIA ARCHIVE • View topic - Settlement Sigils

Okay, here's the official settlement sigil thread, as promised. As said in the Made In Amia thread, we're putting together city sigils. We'll be making them for Tarkuul, Winya Ravana, Barak Runedar, Cordor, Wiltun, Bendir Dale, and Kohlingen. Pony already has Cordor and Wiltun covered and I was asked a while back by the DM running Kohlingen to put one together for Kohlingen, so here are a couple examples of how simple they need to be.

Cordor

Kohlingen

They can't be too fancy, with a lot gradient colors or tons of detail work. When we're working with retexturing items like shields and banners with these sigils they go a lot smoother if they're simple designs. Gradients and detailed shading simply don't work right. That doesn't mean I can't make up a secondary version for forum use, of course. Compare the Kohlingen sigil from above with the forum Kohlingen sigil and you'll see what I mean.

So! I need the players and DMs of the following settlements to hash ideas and/or discuss what's already in place IC. What-have-you. I just need to know what to make for the sigils! The DMs obviously have the last say in which settlement does or doesn't get a sigil for this project, so I may have to add or remove from this list at their discretion. And there may be some that need sigils that don't really have a PC population devoted to it, but with those I'll need to contact the DMs specific to them. Currently this is the list for which I need your help, as I was given it.

Barak Runedar
Winya Ravana
Bendir Dale
Tarkuul

Have at it!

As you know, but I say it again just in case, the Winya Sigil is basically designed already in IC. Pending on IC revealing and approving.

My character has been the one responsible for the Sigil. And thus I need to write down the notes, whether it gets accepted is up to the Council of Winya. That is my understanding. So, I will PM to you once I got the descpription as I want it, and I can most likely fashion a basic idea how my I visioned it, it can be only a guideline taking that you are the one making it.

Barak Runedar

Literally means shield home in dwarven, so you could start around this theme. Maybe symbols within an outline of a shield. Or other close translations, barak runedar would mean strong haven which would actually align well with its founding history as a new home for the dwarves which fled the fall of the Underkingdom. In this iteration a mountain could be used instead of a shield to represent what dwarves would view as a haven. This also goes well with the religious aspect of the dwarves lending itself to Dumathion's holy symbol of a gem within a mountain. I actually feel this is better then using Moradian's iconography as Dumathion is the patron God of the shield dwarves which Barak Runedar is predominantly.

The symbol of an anvil I think is popular with the dwarves in the Barak Runedar context to represent both the military, 'The Anvil' as well as the metal working industry of the hold.

Perhaps some crossed axes behind the anvil (again taking religious iconography from Clangeddin the dwarven god of war) to symbolise the military strength and constant state of warfare the dwarves find themselves against the giants of the underkingdom. Or maybe some crossed pick axes instead for the miners.

Just for flavour as well dwarves are fond of geometric infinity designs akin to a mix of Celtic and Islamic artwork in the real world. And then there's always the dwarven runes to sprinkle around.

Anyway there's some ideas for now. I might gave some more later. Here's something I found that I love. A little too complex for our purposes but the general look is where my imagination was going.

Awesome work, Jes. Though does anyone know what he Cordor sigil actually means?

Ron designed the commonwealth sigil as far as I know. I do not know if he ever discussed the symbolism.

Historically the moon represents serene power over mundane actions, the star(s) divine quality from above, and the gold roundel (copper coins) one who has been found worthy of trust and treasure. Azure (blue) as the field symbolizes fidelity, steadfastness, strength, loyalty.

My interpredation is that azure was picked as the field as it is a port city, and the copper pieces represent mercantile power and trade.

Bendir Dale: I'm not aware of any discussion along these lines IC. If you'd like suggestions I can probably come up with some.

Cornucopia
Footprint
Shield

These represent the agrarian aspect, the mischievous aspect, and the community defense aspect of the settlement population. Don't know if all that can be incorporated into one sigil.

If all the other settlements get one the Grove should get one too! *pouts*

I like the idea of the cornucopia, but it would likely be a repedition of the symbol of Yondalla that already has been added. Here are three other symbols I think might be fitting:

Rose: The rose is a symbol of hope and joy; it is first among flowers and expresses beauty and grace
Wheat Bundle: The garb or wheat-sheaf, signifies plenty and commendable hospitality in the bearer. It may also mean that the harvest of the bearer's hopes is secured.
Vines: Represents strong and lasting friendship.

<.< I'd like something like a round large shield with the celtic tree of life of the Grove. And no, I know no shame:

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs14/i/2007/ ... Faerie.png
http://engl3268.files.wordpress.com/201 ... oxvox1.jpg
http://us.cdn001.fansshare.com/tattoo/k ... 534633.jpg
http://how-do-it.com/wp-content/uploads ... eart_o.jpg

Least noone can say I didn't try! :twisted:

I think if we add the Grove to the list is best discussed on the designer forum. I made a post there about my thoughts.

Yep I saw. Only after my post though. Hehe.

This is obviously very simplistic cause I'm no artist and have limited photochop skills. Something kinda like this but with actual skill and arty goodness dorfs?

Pony wrote:

I like the idea of the cornucopia, but it would likely be a repedition of the symbol of Yondalla that already has been added. Here are three other symbols I think might be fitting:

Rose: The rose is a symbol of hope and joy; it is first among flowers and expresses beauty and grace
Wheat Bundle: The garb or wheat-sheaf, signifies plenty and commendable hospitality in the bearer. It may also mean that the harvest of the bearer's hopes is secured.
Vines: Represents strong and lasting friendship.

Of these I'd favor the wheat bundle.

It is my favorite as well.

The Dale should have an apple tree. Orcharders, ya know.

I'm not part of the faction anymore but if one is needed for Tarkuul I heartily endorse the Living Guard's symbol that Drakos_Vek designed a while ago. Ouroboros with a knife. Let me see if I can find it... Aha.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u122 ... ng-med.png

Hmm. The ouroboros is neat, but I'm not sure about the dagger. Tarkuul is supposedly a settlement dedicated to knowledge and discovery. Wouldn't a tome be more fitting than a symbol of treachery and violence?

Tarkuul sigil is being worked on.

I got a PM from the Tarkuul folks, but I'll be sure to toss up anything I make here. I'll have a few options for each settlement as they come. It'll be a day or two, though! My sister's having surgery today and it's been a busy one preparing for it.

Liz wrote:

The Dale should have an apple tree. Orcharders, ya know.

I'm sure the Grove is going to have a tree. We'll want to have the wheat sheaf to be unique (better)!

Can we see what it might look like?

Like I said, I'll be making a few options and posting them here to show y'all so you can pick and choose which parts you like or don't like.

maglorine wrote:

Liz wrote:

The Dale should have an apple tree. Orcharders, ya know.

I'm sure the Grove is going to have a tree. We'll want to have the wheat sheaf to be unique (better)!

Can we see what it might look like?

It was decided the Grove will not get their own sigil as it does not meet the qualifications we have set. It just does not compare and hence we do not want to open the door on making one for every small settlement. There however will be a small set of much needed druidic shields, and the tree symbol will be one of them as it just fits perfectly.

This might be a good basis if Bendir goes with the wheat sheaf though. Perhaps a warm green background like I used for the Yondalla shield.

http://www.google.at/imgres?um=1&client=firefox-a&sa=G&rls=org.mozilla:de:official&hl=de&biw=1920&bih=977&tbm=isch&tbnid=4ynHGFEhlR_hDM:&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/liquidsouldesign/8261598383/&docid=lq5Gwg1eiEBUcM&imgurl=http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8261598383_0f274ffe93_z.jpg&w=414&h=640&ei=K877UZr3CImCPfDDgLgF&zoom=1

Pony wrote:

maglorine wrote:

Liz wrote:

The Dale should have an apple tree. Orcharders, ya know.

I'm sure the Grove is going to have a tree. We'll want to have the wheat sheaf to be unique (better)!

Can we see what it might look like?

It was decided the Grove will not get their own sigil as it does not meet the qualifications we have set. It just does not compare and hence we do not want to open the door on making one for every small settlement. There however will be a small set of much needed druidic shields, and the tree symbol will be one of them as it just fits perfectly.

This might be a good basis if Bendir goes with the wheat sheaf though. Perhaps a warm green background like I used for the Yondalla shield.

http://www.google.at/imgres?um=1&client=firefox-a&sa=G&rls=org.mozilla:de:official&hl=de&biw=1920&bih=977&tbm=isch&tbnid=4ynHGFEhlR_hDM:&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/liquidsouldesign/8261598383/&docid=lq5Gwg1eiEBUcM&imgurl=http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8261598383_0f274ffe93_z.jpg&w=414&h=640&ei=K877UZr3CImCPfDDgLgF&zoom=1

I like the image and the warm green background idea.

I call for a Citizens' Poll on the town symbol!

Liz wrote:

I call for a Citizens' Poll on the town symbol!

Bah! Making me work! such a taskmaster!

I meant, for the Dale.

*coughs* Carry on.

For a Drow banner, I would suggest ruins on a grey background. Seems we're really good at turning cities into ruins so we should take pride in such.

[edit] I'm joking.

The Dale's insignia for the banned races actually has a design that we came up with as a group. Since that was so long ago, not sure if you want to go with that, but just throwing it out there that there is something that exists already ICly.

I never liked Cordor's emblem. It looks like a toad with cataracts looking at the sky.

Bini wrote:

I never liked Cordor's emblem. It looks like a toad with cataracts looking at the sky.

And since it was designed by ron without much background i think we can change it?

Bini wrote:

I never liked Cordor's emblem. It looks like a toad with cataracts looking at the sky.

Cannot unsee...

@Bendir's Logo.

I like. Especially as the Hay Bale features in Yondalla's Cornucopia.

There was some talk of adding banners and sigils for other settlements in the next hak update (whenever that comes around). While working on something recently I really liked the look of this and thought I'd ask what others think of it as a sigil for Shadowscape.

For clarity, ignore the plain black side of the banner. The game utilizes one picture file for two banners.

The monogrammed letters feel more like a person than a place, imo.

I had this made for Winya's sigil a while back, based on the description Magiros gave me of the symbol he designed (crescent moon surrounding a crystal a la Lifestone), which was officiated by the council.

TormakSaber wrote:

The monogrammed letters feel more like a person than a place, imo.

Yeah...not to mention that the SS can suggest something else too, which may probably insult people or trigger something more painful. I dunno how the naming policy applies in the case of faction names though.

For shadowscape, I might suggest a picture of a lunar eclipse, or a Triskelion, although I admit the latter is "man thta looks cool" and nothing I can substantiate with meaning, which makes it a poor choice. :mrgreen:

Cool idea Tormak. I just want to point out that there was a thread here which I can't find right now, cause I'm at work. But me and Passionate Shadow threw up some ideas, if you want to use them!

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